BIKERELIABILITY Reg check
Head-to-head · 2005–2025

Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025

Keeway RKS 125 STD vs Honda CG125

The Honda CG125 passes its MOT first time more often than the Keeway RKS 125 STD: 72.2% vs 66.3%, a 5.9-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

first-time pass rate, outright fail rate and tests analysed · 2005–2025
Metric Keeway RKS 125 STD Honda CG125
First-time pass rate 66.3% 72.2%
Outright fail rate 24.5% 16.8%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted) -8.8 pts +0.7 pts
Engine size 125cc 124cc
Rank among all models #4954 of 5428 #4568 of 5428
Median miles at test 5,906 17,460
MOT tests analysed 922 89,345
Most common failure lamps and reflectors lighting and signalling

First-time outcomes on normal tests, 2005–2025. "Most common failure" is the component group with the most recorded defects on failed tests. Read pass rates against test counts: a smaller sample is noisier. Source: DVSA anonymised MOT results.

"Vs comparable bikes" is the first-time pass rate minus the rate expected for each bike's own mix of age, mileage and test class, in percentage points: positive means better than comparable bikes. How this works.

What fails, side by side

share of each bike's MOT tests that failed on the component · lower is better
Component Keeway RKS 125 STD Honda CG125
Lights & signalling 16.8% 10.0%
Steering & suspension 9.5% 7.2%
Brakes 9.0% 5.1%
Structure & body 10.2% 1.9%
Tyres & wheels 2.9% 4.6%
Drive system 0% 2.6%
Fuel & exhaust 0% 0.9%

A test that fails on two components counts once in each. Component links go to the bikes most likely to fail on it.

Pass rate by test year

first-time MOT pass rate in each calendar year both bikes were tested
Test year Keeway RKS 125 STD Honda CG125
2021 65.3% 73.9%
2022 70.9% 73.5%
2023 65.0% 74.4%
2024 63.9% 73.0%
2025 66.0% 76.4%

Each year mixes bikes of different ages, so a fleet that is getting older tends to slip.

Pass rate by mileage

first-time MOT pass rate by miles on the clock at test
Mileage Keeway RKS 125 STD Honda CG125
0k-10k miles 68.1% 79.3%
10k-20k miles 58.4% 73.0%

Bands with fewer than 30 tests for either bike are left out.

Keeway RKS 125 STD vs Honda CG125 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Keeway RKS 125 STD or the Honda CG125?

The Honda CG125 passes its MOT first time more often than the Keeway RKS 125 STD: 72.2% vs 66.3%, a 5.9-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Honda CG125 still comes out ahead: -8.8 points vs comparable bikes for the Keeway RKS 125 STD, +0.7 for the Honda CG125. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Keeway RKS 125 STD fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 16.8% of Keeway RKS 125 STD MOT tests failed on it, then structure & body (10.2%).

What does the Honda CG125 fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 10.0% of Honda CG125 MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (7.2%).

See each bike's full report (trend, mileage curve, failure breakdown and rivals) on its own page.